#227. The Labyrinth and the Records (1)
—
The third day since the Obsess attack.
The World Tree was focusing on revitalizing the forest—amplifying sunlight and nourishing the soil.
However, it couldn’t really be said that the tree had “broken its silence.”
It no longer responded to conversation, as if it were dead.
Grine speculated,
“Maybe it decided to use all its remaining strength to nurture the forest. Talking consumed quite a bit of energy, after all. Perhaps it no longer even has the strength left to speak.”
“…That’s troublesome.”
*[“I remember. It was you.”]*
It hadn’t even answered what that meant and simply shut its mouth.
It was no different from irresponsibly sparking curiosity and then running away.
“Sir Ray, you’re not thinking about cutting down the World Tree with a saw, are you? You mustn’t do that.”
“……”
“Of course, setting it on fire is also absolutely forbidden.”
“……”
“Sir Ray?”
“……”
“No.”
Though the boy was troubled, he had to admit Grine’s speculation—that the World Tree had exhausted its energy—made sense.
After all, the World Tree was a venerable ancient tree nearing the end of its life.
“The World Tree isn’t accepting mana from the Life Stone anymore.”
“Why would that be? The mana’s not being absorbed—it’s just swirling around the base. This has never happened before.”
It wasn’t just Grine who couldn’t explain the phenomenon.
Even the elder elves of the village, including Gant and Gwendel, had no idea why it was happening.
*Wooong—!*
“……”
Ray silently watched the green mana bounce off the World Tree.
The sight gave the impression of a firm determination to endure the remainder of its life without any external help.
Or perhaps it looked like the World Tree had grown so weak that it couldn’t even absorb the mana.
A thought came to him.
Perhaps the miraculous event that had occurred during Obsess’ attack had been the World Tree’s final blaze of life.
“The structure of the labyrinth has changed…!”
And that made it all the more puzzling.
The labyrinth had moved?
He didn’t know for sure, but it had to have consumed even more strength than conversation.
When Ray quickly arrived before the World Tree, many elves were already gathered there.
“What happened?”
“Ah, you’re here.”
Gant, who seemed the least shocked among them, stepped forward to explain.
Since the World Tree had gone silent, all the sealed paths had reopened overnight.
Those who went inside to inspect had hurriedly retreated after sensing the paths changing once again.
Currently, the labyrinth had completely transformed into a new structure.
“Does the labyrinth’s structure often change like this?”
“Small changes in the paths happen from time to time, but a large-scale shift like this is the first in the history of the Last Forest—at least, as far as I know. That’s why the elves have been able to freely access the archive and share the inner space with the forest’s creatures.”
…A large-scale change for the first time ever.
In other words, there must be a special reason behind the World Tree’s actions.
*‘There must be a reason to reveal hidden paths even at the cost of its remaining energy…’*
Lost in thought, Ray turned his gaze toward the labyrinth’s entrance.
Beyond the black hole.
Something deep within the labyrinth was calling out to him.
It was a strange sensation—appearing like a shimmer of light, sounding like an echo, and even carrying a faint scent of stone.
“Are you thinking of going in now?”
Gant’s voice reached him.
Ray snapped back to his senses and realized he was standing right before the entrance.
“I wouldn’t recommend entering immediately. The labyrinth is vast. The paths don’t just extend left, right, forward, and backward—they also ascend and descend. Steep stairways and sloped declines can appear, too.”
“……”
“Without the World Tree’s guidance, getting lost would only be a matter of time. Please, at least wait until we can send scouts in to perform some preliminary exploration—”
“No. I don’t think there’s enough time.”
Ray floated a sphere of light and peered into the hole.
Gant stepped closer and also saw vines and walls quietly shifting inside.
“Oh no, the paths are changing again…?”
“No. I think it’s reverting to its original structure. It’s not creating a new one.”
“Judging by how the opened paths are immediately closing again… yes, that makes sense. Rather than a mere whim of the World Tree, it seems more likely there’s an unavoidable reason behind this.”
Ray agreed.
Unless the World Tree was showing off its strength—which it wasn’t—it had no reason to expend energy opening and closing paths.
Rather, it felt more like—
*‘It’s like a firmly locked door was thrown wide open, and now it’s using all its remaining strength to hold it from shutting again.’*
Ray made up his mind.
“If I don’t go now, I might never get the chance to explore the newly revealed area.”
“I agree, but… it’s extremely risky.”
They might find records from the ancient times or relics imbued with great power.
However, without the World Tree’s guidance, if Ray failed to exit in time, he could be trapped in the labyrinth forever.
“……”
Gant glanced back at the elves.
But no one volunteered.
The thought of dying alone, separated from their people at the end, was terrifying for elves, who valued belonging so deeply.
Retracting his gaze, Gant spoke,
“It seems none of us are prepared to enter the labyrinth right now. I would also advise you against it, Sir Ray, but… judging from your eyes, you’ve already made up your mind.”
“Our Ray never changes his mind once he’s decided! Um…?”
Veronica, who had been proudly boasting from the side, realized what was about to happen and her expression turned grim.
The elves quickly made the best preparations they could.
Gant handed Ray a bag.
“These are high-satiety foods given their volume. Judging by the current speed, the paths might close off within a few hours, but in case it takes longer, it’s better to be prepared.”
The boy looked at the fruits and vegetables packed in the bag.
“……”
*—Hello, I’m full of vitamins…!*
*Crash!*
A pouch of jerky—seized from some elf—spilled over and smothered the fruits and vegetables’ “mouths.”
Next, experienced explorers among the elves brought equipment to him.
“This is a direction indicator. If you infuse mana into it, it emits sound waves that bounce off walls and return to measure distance.”
“Oh.”
“This is a cloak imbued with warming magic. The inside of the labyrinth is cold, so it’ll help maintain your body temperature.”
“Oh.”
“This is a squirrel carving made of wood. It has no special function; I just wanted to show it off.”
“Oh.”
Then Gwendel approached.
“I haven’t had a chance to apologize properly since regaining my senses. I’m truly sorry. No matter how much I was under enemy magic, the fact remains—I tried to harm you. Also, thank you for defeating the attacker and rescuing the children.”
She bowed her head deeply.
Then she knelt down and placed her palm against the ground as if calling something.
Soon—
*Wooong!*
Two tiny animals appeared, summoned by the ripple of mana, and climbed onto her palm.
They looked like mice but with long, pointed snouts and pouches on their bellies.
*Rustle.*
Lifting her body, Gwendel explained,
“Are those mice?”
“They’re gray pouch shrews.”
According to her, they were highly skilled at finding their way.
Their sense of smell and direction was so developed that they could always take the shortest route to a target.
“They’re usually picky spirit creatures, but since you’ve already bonded with a high-rank spirit, I believe you’ll be able to communicate with them. Try tapping their pointed noses lightly with your finger.”
Ray followed Gwendel’s instructions.
*Chomp! Chomp!*
The shrews bit down and dangled from his finger.
“They’re biting me.”
“That wasn’t a gentle tap—that was a thump. Try again, but softer.”
After several tries, he finally elicited a pleasant chirping sound.
“If you learn the proper greetings, you can leave a good impression on wild spirits you meet. Spirits lend their strength even without a contract if they like someone.”
“The greetings are different depending on the animal species, right?”
“Exactly. Most spirits retain strong animal instincts, though they have more developed intellects, making their personalities more complex. Once you return, I’ll teach you everything I know about spirits.”
Ray carefully tucked the shrews into his pouch.
The last person to approach was Veronica.
“Are you really going…?”
She looked like she was sending someone off to a battlefield.
“Something’s calling from inside. I have to go.”
“Calling? Who? The World Tree?”
“It’s not the World Tree. I don’t know what it is either.”
*I don’t know what it is,* he said.
Such irresponsible words.
Veronica bit her lip but knew better than anyone she couldn’t stop Ray.
Nor did she want to.
She didn’t want to become a burden.
*‘Ray’s always like this. He rushes into danger, fights, gets hurt, and yet…’*
…he always comes back, having achieved what he set out to do.
Thinking that, she felt a little better.
“If it gets too dangerous, you have to come right back out. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Pff, you say it so casually. Am I the only one worried? Just me?”
“Well, I’m not worried about myself.”
“You could get lost and trapped forever!”
“I’m absolutely confident I won’t lose my way.”
“Because of the spirits and the equipment?”
Ray shook his head and answered,
“Because no matter where you are, I can find you.”
Veronica, caught off-guard, melted on the spot.
“Veronica! Get ahold of yourself!”
“Bring a stretcher!”
“Her heart rate is too high! Pulse is too strong!”
Ray gazed at Veronica’s *white sun*—the intense light only he could perceive.
He had learned recently.
No matter how far away, he could sense the white sun’s location.
He didn’t know why—it was something distinct from magic, a different kind of power altogether.
Slinging his bag and fastening the equipment to his belt, Ray finally packed a sketchbook and pencil.
And then.
*Tap.*
He entered the labyrinth.
*Tap. Tap. Tap.*
───!
─────!
The voices behind him faded with each step.
The light from the outside world grew smaller and smaller.
*‘…Somehow, the glow of the fireflies seems weaker than usual.’*
Ray, floating his orb of light, walked wherever his feet took him, focusing on the presence calling out to him.
And soon realized.
*‘It’s similar.’*
Very much like the feeling he had when descending into the ruins’ underground.
At that moment, Ray hastily pulled out Obsess’ notebook and opened it.
—
